February 27, 2012

The Pits


Gentlemen, start your engines!  We spent Saturday and Sunday in Daytona for the various speed week events going on and tried not to let it rain on our parade (even though eventually it did)

IMG_4271-1


Saturday: 

After getting up super early to run our 12 miles, Mike and I along with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law were ready for some speed and headed to Daytona to meet up with Jenny and Jeremy. 

Even with windy, chilly and dry weather coming through the night before (I think our visitors brought it down from Wisconsin), we were excited for a great day of racing.  We were bundled up (except for Mike) and made the most of our day; taking in ALL the sights.


IMG_4236-1

My sister-in-law, Sara, scored awesome complimentary Pit and Garage passes plus tickets for Saturday’s Nationwide Series race.  We were all access and felt very VIP.  We were behind the scenes and in the middle of all the action!


IMG_4226-1

IMG_4219


Gas, tires, semis…oh my!


IMG_4222


2-25-2012


Danica Patrick’s car for this race was the Go Daddy #7. My brother-in-law, Mark, loves to make it known that he beat her in go-cart racing back in the day in Wisconsin (true story)!


IMG_4211


Pit Lane.


2-25-20121


We not only were in the garage and pits, but hanging out on the infield and even on the track!  I had no idea you could do that – so cool!

IMG_4237

IMG_4238


They don’t call this the “Great American Race” for nothing!

IMG_4264

IMG_4253

The track is soooo steep.  I have such a respect for the racers' skill and ability.  Truly amazing.

IMG_4250

Shout out for Grocery Lane!


IMG_4260

IMG_4263

IMG_4304

When the race finished we headed back down to the garage area and watched the post race inspection on the winning car.  It was very official and there was lots of hustle and bustle. 

There was also lots of scavenging for parts on torn apart cars.  Again, no clue all of that happened, I learned so much!


Sunday:

After heading home Saturday night and fixing yummy make-your-own pizzas, we were up and early again on Sunday to head back to the track for the “big” event – the Daytona 500. 

Luckily our friends gave us a free parking pass and we left early enough for no traffic.  Score on both.

IMG_4328


We arrived at the RV site and promptly started making breakfast for everyone.  The smell of bacon was rampant and got everybody up and at ‘em.
On the menu? 
  • Pancakes
  • cheesy eggs
  • bacon
  • strawberries
  • grapes
  • powdered doughnuts
  • bloody marys
  • pinot grigio mimosas
BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS!


IMG_4327
2-26-2012
IMG_4348


My favorite way to eat my breakfast items is in a pancake taco.  Drizzled with a little bit of syrup, this combo of pancake, eggs and bacon is sweet, savory and absolutely fabulous.
 
More restaurants should have this on the menu. It’s quick, easy and no utensils necessary!

IMG_4346
IMG_4347


After breakfast, we were on weather watch.  With rain in the forecast, we knew there was a chance that the race would be delayed, but we were trying to be optimistic…even going through with our Nascar driver pool.


IMG_4363
IMG_4367

After hours of rain and a few naps later, there was a little bit of hope that they would at least get a few laps of the race in since there was a break in the downpour.

IMG_4368
IMG_4371
Staying dry, watching radar and waiting on the call.

We could hear the drying efforts going on at the track, but to no avail, the rain kept coming.  After 4 hours of debating the offcials finally postponed the race until today.  This is the first time in the history of the Daytona 500 that has happened.


IMG_4373


Even though the weekend was amazing, the outcome was the pits!

No comments:

Post a Comment